What the Taunton Housing Authority does

The Taunton Housing Authority is a public agency that owns and manages affordable rental housing in Taunton, Massachusetts. It operates public housing developments and administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, which helps low-income residents rent from private landlords. The Authority is not a loan program or a grant program — it is a landlord that either owns the building you live in or subsidizes your rent to a private landlord.

The Authority serves households that meet income limits set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Income limits change yearly and depend on household size. If you live in Taunton and your income is below the limit for your household size, you may be able to access one of these programs.

Key Takeaways

  • The Taunton Housing Authority manages public housing developments and Section 8 vouchers, both of which require your household income to fall below HUD limits that vary by family size.
  • Public housing means the Authority owns the building; Section 8 means you find a private rental and the Authority pays part of your rent directly to the landlord.
  • Both programs have waiting lists, and wait times can be months or years depending on current demand and available units.
  • You must provide proof of income, citizenship or may be able to access immigration status, and a valid ID to be considered for either program.
  • The Authority's main office is located in Taunton, and you can contact them by phone or visit in person to ask about current openings and how to request information.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers

Public housing means you rent an apartment or house that the Taunton Housing Authority owns. You pay rent based on your income — typically 30 percent of your adjusted gross income — and the Authority covers the rest of the building's operating costs. The Authority handles maintenance, repairs, and property management. You sign a lease with the Authority and follow their lease terms.

A Section 8 voucher works differently. You find a rental property on the private market, negotiate a lease with the landlord, and the Authority pays a portion of your rent directly to the landlord each month. You pay the difference between the Authority's payment and the actual rent. This gives you more choice in where you live, but the landlord must agree to accept the voucher and meet the Authority's housing quality standards.

Both programs require your income to stay below the limit. If your income rises above the limit, you may lose the subsidy or have to pay more. Both have waiting lists, and the wait time depends on how many people are ahead of you and how many units become available.

Income limits and household size

The Taunton Housing Authority uses HUD income limits, which are set each year and vary by household size. A household of one has a different limit than a household of four. These limits also differ from city to city. You must provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer to prove your income.

If you are self-employed, retired, receiving unemployment, or have other income sources, you will need to document those as well. The Authority will count most income, though some sources — like certain disability payments or child support — may be treated differently. Ask the Authority directly about how they count your specific income sources.

Income limits change every year in April. If you were over the limit last year, you may be under it this year, or vice versa. Contact the Authority to learn the current limits for your household size.

How to request information and get on a waiting list

The Taunton Housing Authority's main office is located at 10 Winthrop Street, Taunton, MA 02780. You can call them during business hours to ask whether they are accepting new applications or if their waiting list is closed. Many housing authorities close their lists when the wait time becomes very long, then reopen them later.

If the list is open, you can visit in person or call to request an process. You will need to bring or provide proof of income, a valid photo ID, proof of citizenship or may be able to access immigration status, and information about anyone else in your household. The process process takes time — the Authority will review your information, verify your income, and conduct a background check.

Once you are on the waiting list, you will wait for a unit to become available. Wait times vary widely. Some people wait months; others wait years. The Authority will contact you when a unit is available and you are next on the list. At that point, you can accept or decline the unit. If you decline, you may lose your place on the list or move to the back of it, depending on the Authority's policy.

Documents you will need

Before you contact the Taunton Housing Authority or visit their office, gather the following documents. Having them ready speeds up the process and shows you are serious about your process.

  • A valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card)
  • Proof of income for the last 30 days (pay stubs, unemployment letter, Social Security statement, or tax returns)
  • Proof of citizenship or may be able to access immigration status (birth certificate, passport, green card, or work visa)
  • Information about all household members (names, dates of birth, relationship to you)
  • Proof of residency in Taunton (utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency)

If you are self-employed, bring tax returns from the last two years and a profit-and-loss statement if you have one. If you receive child support, alimony, or disability payments, bring documentation of those amounts. The Authority may ask for additional documents depending on your situation.

What happens after you are approved

If you are approved for public housing, the Authority will offer you a unit when one becomes available. You will sign a lease, pay your portion of the rent (usually 30 percent of your income), and move in. The Authority is responsible for maintenance and repairs. If something breaks, you report it to the Authority's maintenance department.

If you are approved for a Section 8 voucher, you have a set amount of time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a rental property. The landlord must agree to accept the voucher, and the unit must pass a housing quality inspection. Once the lease is signed and the inspection is passed, the Authority begins paying the landlord. You pay the difference between the Authority's payment and the rent.

In both cases, your rent may change if your income changes. You are required to report income changes to the Authority. If your income rises significantly, you may no longer be may be able to access for the program. If your income drops, your rent may decrease.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for Taunton Housing Authority?

Wait times vary and change based on how many people are on the list and how many units become available. Some applicants wait months; others wait years. The only way to know the current wait time is to contact the Authority directly at their main office or by phone. They can tell you whether the list is open and give you an estimate based on your household size.

What if my income is above the limit?

If your income is above the HUD limit for your household size, you will not be able to enter the program. However, income limits change yearly, and your income may drop below the limit in the future. You can ask the Authority to contact you if you become may be able to access later, or you can check back each year when new limits are announced in April.

Can I choose which unit I get in public housing?

No. When a unit becomes available and you are next on the list, the Authority will offer you that specific unit. You can accept it or decline it. If you decline, you may lose your place on the list or move to the back, depending on the Authority's policy. Ask about their policy before you explore.

Do I have to live in Taunton to use the Taunton Housing Authority?

Yes. The Taunton Housing Authority serves Taunton residents. You must live in Taunton or be moving to Taunton to be may be able to access. Some Section 8 vouchers allow you to move to other cities after you receive the voucher, but you must start in Taunton.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

The Authority will conduct a background check as part of the process process. Some criminal convictions and evictions may disqualify you, but not all. Policies vary. Contact the Authority to ask about your specific situation before you explore. They can tell you whether your history will affect your may be able to access.